5 Ways to Fix Worn Out Stove Burner Knobs

Image
Authorized Service
November 9, 2020
Oven Repair

The average stove  sees a lot of use. You might cook once a day, three times a week, or for every single meal. Each time something is cooked, the stove knobs get a twist. Some recipes require heavy use of the stove knobs, and some chefs are harder on their knobs than others. Over time, stove knobs can become both extremely dirty and worn down. With an impact or just constant use, the plastic might crack or chip. The painted markings almost inevitably wear away. In other words, your stove burner knobs can get pretty beat up.

The good news is that repairing or replacing stove burner knobs is a straight-forward project with approachable steps. If you have one broken stove burner knob or an entire set of knobs that have seen better days, we can help. Today, we’re talking about the many ways to repair your current stove knob. 

This is assuming that the knobs for your stove are no longer available to purchase replacement parts.

Remove and Wash the Knobs Thoroughly

Start by removing the burner knobs that are giving you trouble. This could be one knob or the whole set. Chances are, the knob is pretty dirty and the first step to a good repair is to work with clean parts, when possible. Drop your knob or knobs into a sink of warm ,soapy water and let them soak for a few minutes. Use a sponge to help scrub away layers of spattered grease, drips, and general grime that builds up on everything near a stovetop.

You can use a rag to polish the surface and try several soaking rounds in order to wear away the layers of residue. 

Use a Small Brush to Clean Hard-to-Reach Spots

There will be parts of the knob you can’t reach with a sponge or cloth, and these are the most likely to be completely filled with grime. In fact, in some cases your knob may have stopped working properly because key compartments, as the one that holds the switch post, may fill with grease and no longer set properly. You can use a set of bottle brushes to get into the tightest spaces and clean out the essential slots where the post fits into the knob.

For this task, you might also try similarly suited tools like a nail file or cuticle pusher, which can help to peel layers of congealed grease or sauce out of small spaces. 

Glue Cracked Plastic Back Together

Cracked plastic or even a split knob can be resolved with a little glue. Get a strong, heat-resistant glue like a resin mix or a powerful craft glue. Make sure the two pieces or crack you are repairing has sides that come together smoothly and completely. Line one side with a line of glue, more than you need, and press the halves together. Quickly wipe away the excess with a damp cloth. Set the mended crack in a clamp to hold it together and leave it to cure.

For most glues, you can remove the clamp after 1-4 hours. After 24 hours, the glue should be completely cured and you can reinstall the knob on the burner’s control switch post. Test the knob for durability by turning it on and off slowly and then quickly to see if the glue-repair will hold. 

Repaint the Knob Markings and Numbers

One of the most common problems with burner knobs is that the markings wear away. These are often simple paint or a foil-sticker that will peel off or flake over time. And when the markings wear away, you can’t accurately use your burner knob anymore. The good news is that you can add your own markings, ones that will last and can easily be replaced again.

The first step is to take a small, sharp knife or craft blade and slice a line where each of the major setting points is marked on the dial. This will ensure that you don’t lose your place when repainting your own markings. If you can still see the markings, mirror them. If you’re not sure, you can look up the make-and-model for a template of the stove knob markings.

From there, you can paint on new markings or print a sticker to do the job for you. It doesn’t matter if your solution wears away, because now you know how to replace it. 

Use Moldable Glue to Replace Missing or Worn Pieces

Finally, there is a very handy option of using moldable glue. In the right circumstances, moldable glue is the ideal solution for a repair. It can connect to pieces and fill-in missing spaces where plastic may have chipped away or broken off. Moldable glue can be used to repair a post-hole that has stripped-out or  complete a dial-face that has been badly broken with some of the plastic missing.

To use moldable glue, open a small container and warm it in your hands like clay or putty. Roll it into a ball and then press it flat into a thick sheet. From there, you can press it onto your item for repair and mold it into the shape you need. Then allow the soft glue to cure on your item (in this case, the burner knob) for 8-24 hours, depending on what it says on the package.

Often, an old stove still does its job admirably. No matter how well-used, if the electric components and individual heating elements are holding up, then you can continue to cook reliably delicious meals at the stove. However, some parts wear out faster than others. You can expect to replace or repair plastic elements like burner knobs and the oven handle more often than you’ll need to replace fuses and heating elements.

Knowing how to do your own repairs is incredibly useful for keeping good appliances in good condition. From repairing and repainting your knobs to replacing them with confidence, you can quickly get your stove back into working condition without worrying about replacing the whole appliance. Our team of professional appliance repair technicians will be glad to help with more serious appliance repair concerns. Contact us today for a consultation!

Sharing

Leave a Reply